When researching the environmental impact of deodorants, I came across many people saying that we should stop wearing it all together. But I decided not to stop using deodorant, and here is why.
I’m all for using less rather than more. Especially, if the products we use have a negative impact on our environment. We have a tendency to own and use so many things that aren’t really necessary.
And that’s true for different areas in our lives, including personal care products. Conventional deodorants contain ingredients that can harm aquatic life, they tend to be packaged in plastic and aerosol sprays contribute to air pollution.
So I can see why some people suggest not using them at all. Although, it has to be said, that most of these people suggest it on health grounds.
Antiperspirants especially are seen as bad for us, because they prevent us from sweating, which is a natural bodily function that helps us regulate our body’s temperature. And I agree that stopping my armpits from doing what they are supposed to do, sweating, can’t be good.
But should we stop using deodorants? I decided not to and here is why.
The Myth Of Detoxing Armpits
When you read what people say about using deodorant and antiperspirants, you sooner or later come to the argument that sweating is a way for our body to expel toxins. Therefore, if we stop our armpits from sweating by using antiperspirants, we prevent harmful toxins from leaving our body.
It does sound logical. However, I did a lot of research and found that scientific studies don’t support this theory. While the odd toxin or waste product does leave our body through sweat, that’s not the aim of sweating.
A very interesting study by Baker from 2019 has looked at this and shown that sweating isn’t a way for the body to get rid of toxins. This function is taken up by our renal system, which means our kidneys. We sweat to control our body’s temperature.
The idea that our sweat glands act as a sort of secondary waste disposal system, has nevertheless gained traction, and many people talk about detoxing when stopping to use deodorants.
At this point I should probably clarify that there is a difference between deodorants and antiperspirants, despite both terms often being used interchangeably. Although both aim at preventing body odour, the former does this by stopping odour-causing bacteria, whereas the latter stops you from sweating.
So only if you are using an antiperspirant are you stopping your armpits from sweating. But you aren’t stopping toxins from leaving your body, as this is done by the kidneys.
However, while the detoxing effect is not proven by science, I still believe that it’s probably not a good thing to stop a necessary bodily function unless there is a good reason. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop using deodorant, only antiperspirant.
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Body Odour Not Accepted In Many Cultures
While I would love to live in a society that accepts my body odour as part of me, I don’t. In our culture in the UK, as well as in many other similar cultures, such as Europe or the US, our own smell is seen as disgusting.
So if you decide to stop using a deodorant and embrace your own scent, you might have to accept that our society won’t do the same. And if you are up for this and don’t care, go for it. I take my hat off to you.
The issue is that we have been conditioned to see the world and other people in a certain way. From a very young age, we have been told that to be accepted in our society, we have to follow certain rules.
These unwritten rules have been reinforced in adverts, TV, films and social media as well as social interactions. And one of them is that body odour is bad, and we have to do anything we can not to smell.
We have learned to associate body odour with negative things, like uncleanliness. So the thought of no longer using deodorant, will make many people feel uncomfortable.
Being sweaty and smelling of body odour just isn’t something we grew up to consider as OK. There is a stigma attached to it, that isn’t easy to live with.
The feeling of being sweaty is also uncomfortable. Mostly because we associate it with being unclean. But that is irrelevant, because if we don’t like the feeling, it will be difficult to accept it.
Considering all this, I decided that I won’t stop using a deodorant. But where does this leave me when it comes to its environmental impact?
Switching Rather Than Stopping
Conventional deodorants aren’t the best for our planet, because they use fossil-fuel derived ingredients, many of which can harm our environment. The packaging is also often an issue, even if it’s recyclable.
So they aren’t an option. Instead, I have chosen to switch to eco-friendly alternatives. This means natural deodorants that use plant-based ingredients that won’t harm the planet. At the same time, they are packaged in a way that won’t add to plastic waste.
But not only are the ingredients better for our planet, they are also better for us. Many that are used in conventional deodorants, such as parabens and triclosan, are associated with health risks.
And because they are also bad for the environment, eco-friendly deodorants don’t contain them. So it’s a win-win situation, really.
However, you will be hard-pressed to find an eco-friendly antiperspirant, so you will have to switch to a natural deodorant. While that means having to go through a transition period, once it’s over, you will be protected from body odour without harming our planet.
Personally, I prefer using a deodorant now, because I was uncomfortable blocking up my sweat glands under my arms for a while. Even though my armpits are sweating again, I don’t have to compromise on performance.
Eco-friendly deodorants work just as well as conventional ones. They contain ingredients that perform the same functions: moisture absorption, odour masking and killing odour-causing bacteria.
They are just plant-based or naturally derived and therefore better for our environment.
You also have a wide range of choices regarding different forms: sticks, creams, blocks. Plus, there are different types as well, so you are sure to find one that works for you.
Natural deodorants are just that, deodorants that use natural ingredients. Probiotic deodorants contain good bacteria that will keep bad, odour-causing ones at bay. Both these types will keep you dry and smelling fresh.
Then there are salt crystal blocks. They basically make your armpits a hostile place for bacteria, which means no body odour. But as they don’t contain any moisture-absorbing ingredients, you might sweat more.
Which of the various eco-friendly deodorants you choose is up to you and will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
So if, like me, you want to create a more sustainable personal care routine, but can’t stomach to stop using deodorant, then do what I did and switch to an eco-friendly deodorant instead.
Top-Rated Eco-Friendly Deodorants
| Cleaning Products | Value For Money | Performance | Ease Of Use | My Rating | Full Review | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Excellent | Outstanding | Very Simple | 4.87/5 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Outstanding | Great | Very Simple | 4.87/5 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Excellent | Outstanding | Very Simple | 4.87/5 | Read Review | Visit Website |
